UConn Falls to West Virginia

Huskies Can't Overcome First-Half Strike

October 4, 2008

STORRS, Conn. – The UConn men’s soccer team fell to West Virginia, 1-0, after surrendering a first-half goal Friday night at Joseph Morrone Stadium.

The Mountaineers (3-4-, 2-1-2 Big East) got on the board first at the 29:05 mark as Alex Silva crossed the ball into the lower corner of the near post, just missing the hands of a diving Josh Ford to score the lone goal of the game. Paul Paradise earned the assist on the play as he dropped the ball in front of Silva at the top of the box.

Despite the one goal deficit, the Huskies (5-2-3, 3-2-0) controlled the tempo of the game early, as junior Mike Pezza drilled a shot wide from five yards outside the 18 yard box. Pezza got another foot on the ball five minutes later but missed just wide of the target.

The Huskies had an opportunity to strike in the 38th minute of play as a free kick by Pezza was headed by senior Dori Arad but saved by West Virginia goalkeeper Zach Johnson, who recorded five on the night. Pezza recorded another shot in the 44th minute of play but a leaping Johnson snagged the ball out of the air for his third save of the contest. With 11 seconds left in the first half, Cruz Hernandez fired a shot at goal, missing high off the cross bar.

In the second half, West Virginia's Daniel Hagey had a chance to give the Mountaineers a two point advantage but Ford made a clutch save, denying Hagey of his first goal of the season. Ford finished with two saves, improving his season's tally to 38.

UConn will return to action as the Huskies travel to Providence on Wednesday for a mid-week BIG EAST Conference match-up against Providence College.